It all started when...

The only thing MasterChef’s Jeff Philbin loves more than food and people, is bringing the two together to provide great culinary experiences! 

Growing up, Jeff was drawn to cooking by watching Julia Child, Lidia Bastianich, & Jacques Pépin with his mother every Saturday afternoon on PBS. These culinary titans and their appreciation for their craft inspired Jeff to pursue a career in the culinary industry. With a love for guest engagement and interaction, he worked his way up from waiter, to events coordinator, to area sales manager, and then to director of marketing.  It’s a journey which has spanned nearly 15 years.

But it was his appearances on Season 8 of FOX’s MasterChef that introduced America to Jeff’s humble, fun-loving, yet fearless personality.  And it all started at a family dinner, when his brother in law said to him, "Jeff, I signed you up for MasterChef. All you need to do is show up in Orlando. I did all of your paperwork because I believe in you.” At that moment, Jeff's life changed forever.

Jeff went on to become a fan favorite and one of the most memorable personalities on the show.  It was an incredible experience that has changed him forever.  Back home in Tampa, Jeff began "paying it forward" by hosting weekly MasterChef viewing parties, raising thousands of dollars collectively for local charities.  He is a Leadership Tampa Bay 2018 Class Project Chairman, "Up and Comer" recipient in Tampa Bay Business Journal's "Top 30 Under 30" list and has served on several boards or organizations. 

Between appearances and community building, Jeff pursues his passion for food and cooking as a restaurant consultant, and spends the remainder of his time loving life with his beautiful fiancé Beth, son Holden, & dog Ruby!